MIGHTYFLY INC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: X224-OCSO1

Description

MightyFly designs and develops fleets of agile, efficient and resilient long-range, high-speed, large autonomous cargo aircraft with 100 pounds and 500 pounds of cargo capacity, range of 600 miles and speed of 150 mph. The aircraft are hybrid-eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing), fixed-wing, with the ability to perform multiple deliveries per fuel tank. With hybrid propulsion, the aircraft do not need to stop for battery charging or swapping, since electric power is provided by the aircraft’s gas engine that uses unleaded, JP-8 or diesel. MightyFly is designing its aircraft with resiliency at all levels, and is expanding on the state of the art of the Detect and Avoid System (DAAS). Two main differentiators of MightyFly’s aircraft are their performance and their capability to extend automation beyond flights and into loading and unloading services, which is an expensive and labor intensive portion of today’s logistics. The aircraft are developed to carry heavy payloads of 100 and 500 pounds to 600 miles of range and to perform autonomous loading and unloading of cargo. Other important features include the full Detect and Avoid System (DAAS), which provides resiliency and permits us to fly beyond visual line of sight and in all weather conditions. The eVTOL capability enables our aircrafts to take-off and land in small areas, eliminating the need for runways or helipads. Our aircrafts are modular, which allows for easy maintenance and transportation, and they have 8 electric motors which use distributed battery packs for redundancy and fault tolerance. Lastly, our solution is carbon neutral. MightyFly can provide Long Range Resupply via a Multi-Capable Distribution Platform in an austere environment with low acoustic characteristics, autonomous between launch and recovery, GPS-hardened (includes alternate navigation capability(s)). With minimum ground time, MightyFly can also provide Agile Logistics, between various resupply points. The MF100 can transport 750 pounds per 10 hours day between resupply points distant by 200 nm (Testable today). The MF500 could transport 3500 pounds per 10 hours day between resupply points distant by 200 nm (2-3 years Dev time). MightyFly can also provide agile logistics via low infrastructure. The aircraft operates on readily available fuel in theater with minimum ground handling equipment or time required. To operate the autonomous aircraft, we need zero specialized tools, equipment or training, one person at each origin & destination, and one master planner with a laptop. MightyFly’s autonomous eVTOL aircraft are uniquely positioned to solve current logistics problems, in both the commercial and the defense sectors. MightyFly’s resilient logistics solution will save lives, improve access to goods and better the quality of life for both the commercial and the defense worlds.